RIP Inspiring Loving Lady

I was deeply saddened by the passing of #MayaAngelou yesterday. Back in 1997 I shared a stage with her at a Families Alive conference in Utah. She gave this incredibly inspiring speech. Check it out here. I was in awe just to be in the same room with this love-inspiring poet-legend. Almost sheepishly I then delivered my remarks outlining the Clinton Administration’s education policy themes of the second term…Nope, not quite as inspiring as Angelou’s poetry. I will never forget her wonderfully gracious smile in the aftermath as she thanked me for fighting the good fight for public education. And I thanked her in return for the inspiration to reach beyond the impossible. RIP, Inspiring Loving Lady!